Stranded in the Gulf: India Ramps Up Repatriation Amidst Airspace Challenges

Amidst escalating tensions in the Gulf region, six Indian nationals have tragically lost their lives, with one individual still unaccounted for, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). On Friday, Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R Mahajan emphasized the efforts of Indian missions across several countries to provide assistance and repatriation services.

Indian authorities are actively collaborating with local officials in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and UAE to locate the missing person and expedite the return of the deceased, Mahajan confirmed. As regional travel conditions show signs of improvement, a considerable number of passengers have already made their way back to India since the onset of the conflict.

The MEA reported a gradual resumption of flights, with approximately 300,000 travelers having returned since late February. While airlines in the United Arab Emirates continue to run limited non-scheduled flights, other nations like Qatar have partially reopened airspace, enabling Qatar Airways to conduct ten additional flights. Despite these developments, Kuwait and Bahrain's airspace remain closed, complicating travel logistics for many stranded passengers.